Raheem Sterling to miss England games against Spain and Switzerland

England Raheem Sterling to miss England games against Spain and Switzerland â¢ Manchester City forward pulls out with back injury â¢ Gareth Southgate not planning to call up a replacement Raheem Sterling in action for England during the World Cup. Photograph: Owen Humphreys/PA

England have been dealt a blow before their first fixtures since the World Cup after Raheem Sterling withdrew from the squad for the Nations League tie against Spain on Saturday and the friendly with Switzerland having suffered a back injury.

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The Manchester City forward, who has been in excellent form this season and scored in Saturdayâs 2-1 victory over Newcastle, has remained at his club to undergo treatment and will not be replaced in Gareth Southgateâs party. His absence could result in Tottenhamâs Dele Alli being asked to operate in a more advanced role in Saturdayâs competitive fixture, with Adam Lallana also pushing to make his mark back in the set-up.

The other 22 players reported for duty at St Georgeâs Park on Monday to begin preparations for the game against Spain at Wembley and the Switzerland friendly, which is three days later in Leicester. Southgate will check on the fitness of other members of the squad over the next few days.

The national team manager is acutely aware that most only returned to their clubs for training in early August, just before the start of the new Premier League campaign, and eff orts will be made to ensure players are not risked if they are suffering from early season fatigue.